History of the Ranch

The Absaroka Ranch has a rich history. In 1911, Mily and Emil Blaha homesteaded the property. They were subsistence farmers growing and raising their own food. They grew lettuce and cabbage, not only for themselves but for the tie hackers who were working for the railroad in the Dunoir Valley. They also raised cows, chickens, goats, pigs and horses. Five years after they first homesteaded they finished building the main lodge and the cabin, Delta Whiskey. Both buildings are still used today.

The Blahas owned the ranch until it was purchased from them by the Detimores in 1957. They ran it as a guest ranch until 1981 and then sold the ranch to the Delo family. The Delos continued to run the ranch as a guest ranch until 1983, when the current owner Budd Betts purchased it.

Budd then met his wife Emi and together they have been running the ranch ever since. They decided to change the name of the ranch from Highland Meadows to Absaroka Ranch and open it as a guest ranch and outfitting business. Budd and Emi had two children, Robert and Lindsay. Today, Lindsay and her husband Brooklyn are managers at the ranch. Over the years they have welcomed visitors from far and wide to enjoy the beauty and serenity that the ranch offers.